5.3-magnitude jolt hits central Nepal yet again

KATHMANDU, Nov 20: After months of hiatus, Nepal yet again felt a powerful aftershock on Thursday.

According to the National Seismological Center (NSC), a jolt of magnitude 5.3 epicentered in Sindhupalchowk hit the district at 10 am. The shock was felt by locals across the district including in the Kathmandu Valley.

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"It was an aftershock. However, the shock was powerful compared to previous aftershocks," said Lok Baniya Adhikari, director general of NSC.

The jolt had caused panic both in Sindhupalchowk and Kathmandu Valley. People in Kathmandu were seen running out of their houses.

According to NSC, more than 400 aftershocks of less than magnitude 4 have been recorded in major quake-hit areas since April.

A massive earthquake of April 25 measuring 7.9 magnitude and the following powerful aftershocks had caused huge devastation in 14 districts. However, over 30 districts have been touched by the massive tremor and the aftershocks. The quake had killed over 9000 people and left over 23,000 injured.

Subodh Dhakal, engineering geologist and a lecturer at Tribhuvan University, explained Thursday's quake as the result of energy release from earthquake rupture points.

"Energy was released from the rupture created after the massive earthquake of April 25. The rupture line that measures over 150 kilometers extends from Barpak of Gorkha to Dhading, Sindhupalchowk and Dhulikhel," said Dhakal.

"It is a good thing that energy is being released in intervals. It will certainly prevent the occurrence of similar massive quakes," he added.

Moreover, he shared that the recent shake should be taken as a lesson for what had happened.

"The post-quake reconstruction work has has been left in limbo and people have started to forget what had happened on April 25. Let's hope this aftershock will bring the authorities to their senses," said Dhakal.